Improvement in horse-collar caps



n', -1. ALGEo.

Horse-'Collar Caps.

NOK. 136.804, PatentedMarcvh18f1873.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD J. ALGrEO, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE-CQLLAR CAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,804, dated March 18, 1873.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, RICHARD J. ALGEo, of Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Collar-Gaps; and I do declare that the following is a true aand accurate description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a perspective view of my improved collar-cap, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal of collars; also, in pressingthe leatherbacking so that it will overlap the edgesof the zinc cap, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, A is a sheet-zinc collar-cap, 1n the form of a miniature saddle. B isa light frame of any suitable metal, with a longltudinal girder, B', connecting its extremities. The frame is made to conform to the shape and outline of the cap A, to which it is secured at intervals by rivets, but between said frame and cap is interposed a leather backing, C, for the purposes mentioned inthe aforesaid application. The general construction of the parts shown is the same as heretofore, except that vthe girder B is made in two parts, an upper and a lower one, connected at the ends, with also a bridge-piece, b, inthe middle, thus making two long horizontal slots cthrough it, the object of vwhich isto enable the cap to be applied to collars which are open at the top. Such collars are generally provided with two straps or billets, which may be passed through the slots to buckle the collar-ends together, securing the cap in place at the same time. Sometimes, however, such collars are made with a single Wide billet which is always set more to the belly side of the collar, thus bringing its inner edge about the middle of the length of the girder, so that it can be passed through one of the slots. If, however, the cap is to be used with a collar having a closed top, it can be easily secured by passing straps under a loop, d, cast on the lower edge of the frame at each side, and buckling it over the collar-top. These yloops are cast in an arch projecting upward from the frame-rim, but lying fiat on the backing, so that they do not interfere with thebillets, if applied to an open-top collar,-

rnaking a single style of frame-cap answer the requirements of the trade. Instead of having the edges of the frame backing and cap flush, as heretofore, the former is made of lesssize, and the backing larger than the cap. In the manufacture of the cap I use a screwpress and formen and by laying the backing, of leather, well soaked, into the mold, and pressing the cap into it, the edges of the backing will roll over and embrace those of the cap, remaining permanently in this Aposition when the leather has dried, making a better finished edge, that will not cut or abrade the mane of the horse. The cap might, by

vthe superior stiffness afforded by the construction just described, be made without a continuous frame around the edge, using only the slotted girder B where it is designed for open-top collars. Such a collar-cap would be alittle cheaper to make, but would be less durable than if it had the continuous frame.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-Y l. As a new article of manufacture, a collar-cap, A, of sheet metal, havingabackin g, C, of leather pressed over .its edges, as shown and set forth.

2. The combination, with the cap A and backing G, of the slotted girder B', as and for the purpose set forth. l

RICHARD J. ALGEO.

Witnesses H. F. EBERTs, CHAs. J. HUNT. 

